Othello's character throughout the play demonstrates a skill and confidence in the art of language. From the beginning we see long, eloquent speeches that dazzle his audience  eloquently mixing complex words that help portray him as not only a strong warrior but also a fighter with a sound mind. However when Iago pressures him about the possible relationship between his wife Desdemona and Cassio, Othello's passion for his beloved wife breaks down his self-control. In the next few pages I will demonstrate how Othello's speech during the beginning of the play helps to strengthen his character, and by his death, he's but a stuttering empty shell of a man. In addition, we'll compare the language of the moor with that of Iago and see how anti-heroic words shape the way we see this self-interested character.

During the third scene of the first act, Othello speaks eloquently about how he's won and married Desdemona. This is a beautiful forty-line speech that really shows his capacity to articulate and communicate effectively before the higher court. The language that he uses helps us see Othello as a true, confident leader. Shakespeare writes:

Hath this extent, no more, Rude am I in my speech,And little blessed with the soft phrase of peace,For since these arms of mine had seven years pithTill now some nine moons wasted, they have usedTheir dearest action in the tented fieldAnd little of this great world can I speakMore than pertains to feats of broils and battle. (I.iii.81-87)

Here Othello uses irony to subtly demonstrate his grasp of the English language. His claim that he is "rude" in speech is particularly revealing because he knows all too well that no one in that room would believe that he has rudimentary abilities. Similarly, the remaining line of this example shows us his poise with regard to physical strength and the leading of armies. Ultimately, use of this kind of language reflects Othello's lofty ideals. From the onset, we are given words that mirror powerful, dramatic images that know no bounds  and with that, we see his strength and passion for being both an idealized military general and a devoted, loving husband.

In contrast, if we look at the language of Iago we see long soliloquies throughout the play, yet the words that he chooses reflects the depravity of his mind. Iago chooses manipulative words, words that depict bestial images and words of base physical functions. Iago is as much a wordsmith as Othello in this regard. When we compare this character to that of Othello, the two are, however, radically different. In act one Shakespeare writes:

Your heart is burst, you have lost half your soul.Even now, now, very now, an old black ramIs tupping your white ewe. Arise, arise!Awake the snorting citizens with the bellOr else the devil will make a grandsire of you. (I.i.86-91)

From the very beginning we see Iago's hatred toward Othello in these descriptive words. This animalistic imagery initially establishes the dramatic tension in the play, but it also helps satisfy our suspicion of Iago's cruel motives toward Othello. Iago skillfully uses insinuations, indirect accusations and subtle hints to get his own point across. For example, Shakespeare writes:

Swounds, sir, you are one of those that willnot serve God if the devil bid you. Because we come to do youservice and you think we are ruffians, you'll have your daughtercovered with a Barbary horse, you'll have your nephews neighto you, you'll have your coursers for cousins and jennets forgermans. (I.i.110-115)Here, the exchange with Brabanzio is a direct one, but we can see Iago's malicious, crude descriptions of Othello  which, again, suggests his own loathing for the man and his attempt to get others to side with him. He implies Othello is a "Barbary horse" and his daughter is committing a mortal sin by being with him. In the end, it...

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...A Loss for Words is narrated by Lou Ann Walker. From the time she was a toddler, Lou Ann Walker was the ears and voice for her deaf parents. Through the narration of this book, she recounts the stories about her growing up with two deaf parents. "To the hearing world the deaf community must seem like a secret society. Indeed, deafness is a culture every bit as distinctive as any an anthropologist might study." (pg.22). The journey of this secret society for her and her parents begins as her parents are driving her to Harvard. She went to Ball State for her first two years but decided it was not enough of a challenge, and she needed somewhat of a change in her life. Growing up with two deaf parents was not always a smooth ride. She also felt like an outsider from society. She had to grow up rather quickly, having to act as her parents' translator and go-between in everything from finances to dealing with car mechanics and doctors.
Through commitment, love, and dedication she wholeheartedly gives her parents the best life possible even without the ears to hear; we evidently see this throughout the journey of her storytelling. This first chapter really exhibits the troubles she had with having deaf parents. Lou Ann on her first night in her dorm gets lonely, and walks to her parents’ hotel. She proceeds to grab her parents attention by banging on the door, when this fails she then slips a piece of paper into the room, but her parents...

...Othello’s character seems to be a cool, calm, brave, and strong minded. He is a competent soldier of advanced years and many look up to him despite him being a moor. Although he has these positive traits at times he may portray other traits which make him seem naive and unsophisticated compared to many other people. This is why Iago, to get his rewards and revenge, uses him as a scapegoat because Othello chose Cassio over him to be lieutenant. This will eventually lead to many problems ultimately including the downfall of Othello. It is obvious that Iago had a large influence on Othello’s downfall but we are all responsible for our actions therefore it could be that Othello’s flaws in his nature led him to his own downfall and eventually to be held responsible for his own demise.
Othello is of strong character. He is very proud and in control of every move throughout the play. The control is not only of power but of the sense of his being who he is, a great warrior. He should be the master of his own mind because he governs what he does and he always had the chance to evaluate the validity of Iago’s claims. Initially with no proof at all, just his own mind, he let his insecurity get in the way. He wasn't really experienced with women so when Iago gave him advice, he took it and held on to it. His insecurity kept him from questioning Iago's accusations and as soon as he gave into Iago's lies, he only saw what he wanted to see and...

...through the character of Iago and how he is able to manipulate Othello through his actions. Revenge changes Iago as he turns out to be a cunning person that uses Othello’s weakness of jealously against him to destroy him. Revenge has been represented by Shakespeare through the themes of betrayal and jealousy. He explores these themes through two “friends”; Othello and Iago and shows how blindly trusting someone can backfire in a horrific way. Shakespeare tries to convey the message that people should be sceptical of others and not just put their unquestionable belief in other people no matter how well you know them which suggests that the notion of revenge is ultimately corrupting; it turns us into the worst possible version of ourselves.
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...loyalty in Iago and Desdemona are also tragic flaws. These tragic flaws are imperative to the play, and without them there would be a lack of plot, conflict, and climax.
Othello’s tragic flaw of inherent trust haunts him throughout the play. Othello is easily persuaded and this leads him to put his trust in the wrong people. He unfortunately gets ensnared into Iago’s devious plan. Othello treats Iago as a trust-worthy friend who he has known for a long period of time. When Iago realizes that Othello believes the story about Cassio’s relationship with Desdemona, Iago decides to take the scheme further. Iago places horrid images in Othello’s mind that turn Othello into a rash man. Othello’s tragic flaw ultimately leads to his destruction. Othello’s personality vastly transforms due to the madness. Othello ironically mistrusts his loyal wife Desdemona and good friend Cassio. When Othello places Desdemona on her deathbed, he states, “Be thus when thou are dead, and I will kill thee/And love thee after” (V.ii.20-21). At this moment in the play, Othello’s actions are ironic. Originally, Othello worried that Desdemona would stab him in the back, but he is the one who betrays his beloved wife. Othello is brought to this action because Iago places extreme jealousy within him.
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...For this assignment I chose to read A Loss for Words: A story of deafness in a family, by Lou Ann Walker. She recounts growing up hearing with two deaf parents. Once I started reading I was surprised to find that Walker grew up in Indiana! Her father is from Montpelier, her mother is from Greencastle, and the author came of age in Indianapolis.
Lou Ann’s story begins as her parents are driving her to Harvard. She went to Ball State for her first two years, but decided it was not enough of a challenge. The reader also gets the sense that she is ready to become a little more independent. This first chapter really shows how heartbreaking it could be to have deaf parents. Lou Ann gets scared and lonely on her first night in her dorm (as many of us probably did) and walks to her parents’ hotel. She bangs on the door and slips a piece of paper into the room, but her parents don’t notice. She cannot communicate to her parents that she needs them and must go back to her room, uncomforted.
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...Niki Brown
Randi Nedom
ASL 1
11/21/11
Loss for Words Paper
The book A Loss for Words by Lou Ann Walker is a biography about Lou Ann. Her parents are deaf and she and her sister are hearing. The book describes the troubles and embarrassment she felt and had while growing up. She loved her parents dearly but often felt embarrassed, or infuriated about comments people would make to her about her parents. Lou Ann exclaims that “their world is deaf, their deaf culture, their deaf friends, and their own sign language it is something separate, something I can never really know, but I am intimate with.”(2) Lou Ann was both speaking and she could also sign. She felt it hard to fit into one culture. She had a love for her parents and the deaf culture but at the same time, she felt like she didn’t quite fit in because she could hear. She could hear people’s comments about her parents. Lou Ann tells a story about how it was for her and how she was able to deal, with society and their views.
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...because he is a foreigner and this weakness is later exploited by Iago.
Othello's breakdown is mirrored in his language. His authority is summed up in a response to a challenge saying "Keep up your bright swords for the dew will rust them", meaning he will obviously defeat them and leave the swords lying so they will rust. This shows his arrogance and confidence in the beginning of the play because he assumes he will win every battle because after all he is a general.
When Desdemona's father, Brabantio accuses Othello of stealing Desdemona, Othello answers the charge with eloquent and subtle language. "Rude am I", when clearly he is not and he says he has no skill in the "soft phrase of peace", but his words tell a different story. This is false modesty. He could be mocking their attitude to his past.
Iago starts suggesting that Desdemona has been having as affair with Cassio. Othello starts to think this might be true and asks himself "Why did I marry?" this is the first crack in Othello's confident armour which the audience sees.
We continue to see his increasing insecurity reflected in his speech as it begins to show the breakdown of his mind, "I think my wife be honest, and think she is not".
To fuel Othello's suspicion, Iago manages to get the handkerchief that Othello gave Desdemona into Cassio's possession, Othello is so angered by this that he, "Falls into a trance".
Othello's...

...Ashley Abbondandelo
12/11/12
ENG 102
Othello
Part of what makes Othello such a prevailing play through history is that the characters and situations are universal. Each character is relatable on the fact that every major character is a classic epitome. Iago, a classic villain. A scoundrel with an astonishing ability to manipulate and cause turmoil, and Othello a classic tragic hero who’s own jealousy and deep internalized insecurity of the prejudices surrounding him, helps right into Iagos “evil genius” and ultimately are the key cause in Othello’s unfortunate downfall.
Iago is one of the most infamous and puzzling villains in history. Even though he is referred to as “Honest” Iago throughout the play, he lies, cheats, steals, and kills to get what he wants. Iago’s manipulation starts off when he finds out that Othello gave the position of lieutenant, a position that he felt himself deserved, to Cassio, and will do anything to get it. Iago will do whatever it takes to get what he wants. He is able to manipulate anyone who gets in his way. Without any true justification, Iago starts to immediately tear Othello apart by doing anything to hurt him. As the play moves on, Iago becomes construed by his animosity and lies which he even starts to believe them himself, He believes that Othello
Ashley Abbondandelo
slept with his wife, Emilia, “I hate the Moor, and it is thought abroad that ‘twixt my sheets’ ‘He has done my office”(6-7:236)...